Syria President: Israel raid increased chances of Middle East war

Damascus - The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated in an interview that the recent Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla raised the risk of a war in the Middle East because of its “pyromaniac government.”

According to Haaretz, on Thursday, in a televised interview with BBC News, Syrian President Bashar Assad stated that Israel’s recent condemned conduct “destroyed any chance for peace in the near future.” The Syrian leader added that the chance of war in the region increased because Israel proved itself to have another “pyromaniac government” and that peace is unachievable with such a government in place. However, Assad said that even prior to the raid that killed nine Turkish activists and injured at least 30 more, he knew that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not a partner for peace, reports AFP. “We definitely don't have a partner, we know this. With this government (it) is something different from any previous Israeli government.” Assad added that the Syrian government is attempting to broker a peace deal with the present government in Israel and that they are trying to prevent war at all costs, notes One India.